Hello 2020 & Word of the Year #WOTY

Updated on December 31, 2019 By Shalini21 Comments - This post contains affiliate links which means if you use them to make a purchase, I'll earn enough money to maybe buy me a lil' something - a book, probably.

..and just like that, another year has come and gone! I still remember coming up with a Word of the Year for 2019 in all excitement and writing a blog post about it. I was swamped with ideas and had a lot of expectations from this year. Before we get into further details, let’s see what a Word of the Year means.

Word of the Year #WOTY

Word of the Year or WOTY is a single word that would help you figure out what you want from the year, your expectations, where you want to spend your energy on, or what you want to improve upon.

Many believe in making resolutions for the new year. Sadly, these resolutions remain untouched and unaccomplished as days go by. And because of this, you’d feel a sense of regret and also feel sorry about yourself for not being able to tick them off your list.

I have stopped making resolutions for about six years, and instead, focused more on having a word that would represent my year ahead. Last year, I chose the word Slay – thinking of nailing every single aspect of my life – be it health, relationships, or work. I wanted to be that Goal Digger! I wouldn’t say I was 100 percent successful in ‘Slaying’ everything. I have had my ups and downs!

This year when I was thinking of a Word for 2020, I was blank. I even took up an online quiz to know where my thoughts and interests lay. The word I got was Limitless which was easier to interpret as well- I was never contained in a single niche when it came to blogging for I always listened to my heart. I wrote about books, travel, food, lifestyle – you name it, I have done it. But the word just didn’t appeal to me- it didn’t speak to me and I couldn’t take it up.

Days went by…

We had gone through a terrible loss in life last month and nothing seemed the same anymore. But flipping through the pages of my planner helped me in focusing my thoughts. That’s when I finally had my Eureka moment.

As 2020 dawns tomorrow, I know what I should do. I have chosen my word for the year.

I choose ‘CREATE’ and create I shall.

Without thinking about what others do, without comparing, without competition – I’m hoping to create beautiful and worthy content for my readers and audience. I’ll also be focusing on creating a new me who is happy, healthy and who believes in myself. Oh yes, the year ahead is full of possibilities!

I like your choice, this year, of “Create” better than last year’s, “Slay.” I get where you were going with that, and it seems aspirational and exciting; but, to me, the first connotation isn’t “nailed it” but simply “kill.” And in my head, the “nailed it” sense is too akin to “perfectionism” – itself, a killing word, in my experience. Not “killer” or “killed it” in its modern “good” sense, but literally soul-killing. “Create,” though, IS akin to “limitless” (I’m happy to share that one with you, any time!) Perfectionism IS a limit – it limits us to discarding the imperfect, rather than creating something original and uniquely, beautifully flawed from it. “Slay” EXPECTS perfection in everything, and whispers, “Or else.” To me, anyway. It’s demanding and judgmental; mindlessly listening to it is something I fight, not something I need to aspire to.

I look forward to seeing what you CREATE in the year to come, and I hope that you have fun doing it.Holly Jahangiri recently posted…Asibikaashi #WednesdayVerses

CREATE sounds beautiful and perfect, Shalini! WIsh you the best for 2020! I am sure you will fulfill your creative dreams! Love and hugs!Shilpa Gupte recently posted…My Word of the Year for 2020 – WELLNESS.

I think you did a good job last year despite the various setbacks, Shalini. ‘Create’ is something that comes so naturally to you – you have so many talents and I hope this is the year that you showcase them. I’m looking forward to watching you and applauding from the sidelines. Hugs.

Create is a word that I can relate to you, Shalini. I am sure you will do well with your word of the year and put it to practice how you place. Good luck and know that i am always cheering for you.
hugs!Parul Thakur recently posted…Goodbye 2019

You did slay a lot of things last year despite the downs that you mentioned. I’m sure you will be awesome this year too. Create is a lovely word. I hope you have an amazing year.Reema D’souza recently posted…Tell me O Dream-catcher #WednesdayVerses

Kudos to you girl. The best part of writing is that you make friends whose thoughts resemble you. I like kohl, they simply beautify my eyes and brightens my day. Now that I know you are a trained classical dancer and dance has re-connected me to my soul.
Great choice of word. I agree that you should choose the word you automatically connect with.

I love your choice of word, Shalini, and it fits you well! 🙂 What you said, “Without thinking about what others do, without comparing, without competition”, is the best way to go. Have a fabulous 2020!Debbie D. recently posted…BLOG DELURKING WEEK: A THANK YOU TO SILENT READERS

You are really creative even without choosing it as your WOTY. I look forward to more of your creative writing, Instaposts and activities that spread happiness.Unishta recently posted…Upside and Downside: The Year that was

I had a wide smile as soon as I read the word. That’s a great choice for WOTY. It is something I try to do as well 🙂 And the word “Create” can transcend to other works of life too. Wish you good luck.Rajlakshmi recently posted…Blessed – Zentangle Inspired Artwork

Lovely word to go for, Shalini! I’m pretty sure you’re going to have an amazingly creative year with such an inspiring word! Will be looking forward to your creative journey so do keep sharing your progress from time to time. Good luck and cheers for an exciting year ahead in 2020!
Best wishes

Primary Sidebar

The Book Nerd Who’s a Shutterbug

Shalini is an IT Analyst by profession, avid blogger by passion and a nomad by choice. She is a proud Army Wife, a trained classical dancer, and an aspiring YouTuber. When she isn't traveling, she can be found with her nose buried in a book and her Golden Retriever Mufasa, resting his face on her lap.